Dual switching device

ABSTRACT

A dual switching device is provided with a pair of switches individually actuatable by a tripedal actuating level rockable about either one of a pair of plungers by the other, each switch being actuated mutually exclusive of the other by a respective plunger, neither switch being actuated by both plungers operating in mutual conjunction.

United States Patent Hilliard R. Di Veto Plymouth, Mich. 45,998

June 15, 1970 Sept. 28, 1971 Burroughs Corporation Detroit, Mich.

lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee DUAL SWITCHING DEVICE 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl

. 200/50 C Int. Cl H01h 9/26 Field of Search 200/5 R, 5 A,5B,5C,5D,5E,5F,50C

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,682,211 8/1928 Bishop..... ZOO/50C 2,624,809 1/1953 Sinclaire ZOO/50 C X Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-M. Ginsburg A!t0rneysKenneth L. Miller and Edwin W. Uren ABSTRACT: A dual switching device is provided with a pair of switches individually actuatable by a tripedal actuating level rockable about either one of a pair of plungers by the other, each switch being actuated mutually exclusive of the other by a respective plunger, neither switch being actuated by both plungers operating in mutual conjunction.

PATENTEU was m 533,609,256

FIG]. '4

INVEN'RJR.

HILLIARD R. DiVETO.

AGENT.

DUAL SWITCHING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to switching devices used to control two systems mutually exclusive of each other.

Prior art discloses switching devices used for the above purpose such as single-plunger-type switches that alternately open one of two sets of contacts while closing the other with each successive operation of the plunger. The sequence of operation is predetermined in that successive operations of the plunger will always open the set of contacts then closed and close the set of contact then open. When the plunger is released, one set of contacts will always remain closed and the other open.

Other typical plunger-type switches employed to control two systems use two plungers. Each plunger operates to close one of two sets of contacts and open the other These switch devices are also limited to a predetermined sequence of operation in that the operation of one plunger will open the set of closed contacts and close the set of open contacts. Here, as with the single-plunger-type switches, one set of contacts will always remain closed and the other open.

Often used in a two-system control device are two separate, momentary transfer, plunger-type switches. Although this configuration provides certain advantages over the device of the first two examples, exclusivity is not guaranteed. Both plungers could be operated simultaneously, resulting in the contacts of both switches transferring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention resides in the provision of a tripedal actuator rockable by either one of a pair of plungers about a fulcrum formed by the other plunger to exclusively actuate one of a pair of switches.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switching device having no predetermined sequence of operation so that a particular operation may be repeated consecutively and need not be alternated with another.

It is another object of the invention to provide a switching device wherein no contacts remain transferred after the completion of an operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switching device actuated by two plungers wherein no contacts transfer upon the simultaneous operation of both plungers.

An important aspect of the invention is the use of a rockable, tripedal actuating lever as a means for operatively coupling a pair of plungers to a respective pair of switches, either plunger functioning as a fulcrum as the other plunger rocks the actuating lever to activate its associated switch, such switch responding to one of the three arms of the actuating lever during the latters rocking movement.

Another important aspect of the invention is the provision of means permitting the actuating lever to linearly translate when both plungers are actuated in mutual conjunction, thereby preventing either switch from actuating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a side elevation of a switching device embodying features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 wherein the elements of the embodiment are shown in a first state with one of the pushbuttons depressed and one of the switches actuated; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 wherein the elements of the embodiment are shown in a second state with both pushbuttons depressed and neither switch actuated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention resides in the arrangement of a pair of pushbutton-type switch actuators on a keyboard panel or the like and the provision of control means responsive to the depressible manipulation of either or both pushbutton actuators to close or transfer one of the switches when its corresponding pushbutton actuator is depressed and to prevent the closing or transfer of either switch when both pushbutton actuators are depressed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a pair of plunger-operated switches are disposed in contiguous relationship to their corresponding pushbutton actuators with the plungers thereof facing one another in minimal spaced apart relationship on a common plane. The control means of such preferred embodiment comprises a biased tripedal actuating member operatively coupling the extremities of the pair of pushbutton actuators by means of a pair of opposing axially disposed arms thereof, and operatively occupying the space between the plungers of the plunger-operated switches by means of a perpendicular arm fixed to the unitary intersection of the pair of opposing, axially disposed arms. As a consequence of the bias and pushbutton-coupling characteristics of this control means, depression of one pushbutton-type switch actuator will effectively and rockably actuate the switch plunger of its corresponding switch, and the coincidental depression of both pushbutton-type switch actuators will translatably displace the control means without actuating either of the switch plungers, the result thereof being failure to close or to transfer either switch.

Referring now to the drawings, the dual switching device shown includes a support member or frame 10, a first and second switch actuator or plunger 12 and I4 operatively disposed in corresponding apertures formed in the support member 10, a first switch 16 associated with the first plunger 12, a second switch 18 associated with the second plunger 14, and a tripedal actuating member 20 operatively coupling the first and second plungers. The first and second plungers I2 and 14 are arranged in spaced-apart relationship on the frame 10, and the first and second switches 16 and 18 are each disposed in predetermined contiguous relationship with their respective plungers. The actuating member 20 is effectively positioned between the first plunger 12 and first switch 16 and the second plunger 14 and second switch 18.

The first and second plungers l2 and 14 are effectively spring-return pushbuttons extending through corresponding apertures in the frame 10 and having spaced-apart and parallel paths of translation.

A first bracket 22 depending from the frame 10 adjacent the first plunger 12 provides mounting support for the switching l6 and a second bracket 24 also depending from the frame 10 adjacent the second plunger 14 provides mounting support for the switch 18. The first switch 16 is provided with a first switch plunger 26 extending toward the second switch 18, which in turn is provided with a second switch plunger 28 extending toward the first switch 16.

The tripedal actuating member 20 is comprised of a first arm 30 effectively contacting the first plunger 12, an integral second arm 32 extending axially from the first arm 30 and effectively contacting the second plunger 14, and an integral third arm 34 extending perpendicularly from a point central to the first and second arms 30 and 32 and normally disposed in an effective position between the first and second switch plungets 26 and 28. The first and second arms 30 and 32 are resiliently urged by a spring 36 into contact with the first and second plungers l2 and 14, respectively, and toward the frame 10, the spring 36 being connected in any suitable fashion to the actuating member 20 and to the frame 10.

The free end of the first arm 30 is provided with a slot (not shown) to receive the outermost extremity of the first plunger 12, the latter extremity being fitted with a first collect 38 disposed anteriorly of the first arm 30 to provide a first fulcrum 40 therefore. The free end of the second arm 32 is also provided with a slot (not shown) to receive the outermost extremity of the second plunger 14, such extremity being fitted with a second collet 42 disposed anteriorly of the second arm 32 to provide a second fulcrum 44 therefor.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1, the device is therein shown in its normal or rest state. The first and second plungers l2 and 14 are shown in their retracted positions; and the tripedal lever is held by the spring 36 in its normal position wherein its third arm 34 is centered inoperatively between the first and second switch plungers 26 and 28 so that the contacts of neither the first nor the second switches 16 or 18 are transferred.

With reference to FIG. 2, the device is therein shown with the first plunger 12 in its actuated state. The plunger may be assumed to have been operated manually, although it should be understood that any suitable actuating means could be used for this purpose. It should be apparent that when the first plunger 12 is operated, the first collet 38 is forced downwardly to effectively rock the lever 20 in a clockwise direction about the second fulcrum 44 formed by the second collet 42, such rocking movement being effectuated by the collet 38 against and in conjunction with the bias of the spring 36. It should be noted that the collet 38, having a larger diameter than the plunger 12 serves to rockingly increase the effect of the plungers travel upon the tripedal lever 20. As the lever 20 is so rocked in a clockwise direction, its third arm 34 rotates to the right and into actuating contact with the first switch plunger 26, thereby actuating or transferring the first switch 16.

Upon release of the first plunger 12, both the plunger 12 and the tripedal lever 20 will return to their respective positions shown in FIG. 1, as influenced by the spring 36. During such return, the lever 20 is rocked about the second fulcrum 44 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby rotating the third arm 34 to the left and away from the first switch plunger 26, the contacts of the first switch 16 being accordingly restorably transferred.

Depressible actuation of the second plunger 14 will have a similar effect in closably transferring the switch 18. The second collet 42 would in this case be forced downwardly to effectively rock the tripedal lever 20 in a counterclockwise direction about the first fulcrum 40, and the third arm 34 of the lever 20 would be rotated to the left into actuating contact with the second switch plunger 28, thereby actuating or transferring the second switch 18. Upon the release of the second plunger 14, both the plunger 14 and the tripedal lever 20 will return to their respective positions shown in FIG. 1, as influenced by the spring 36, the third arm 34 being rotated to the right and away from the second switch plunger 28 to permit the restorable transfer of the second switch 18.

With reference to FIG. 3, the device is shown with both plungers l2 and I4 depressibly actuated and with the first and second collets 38 and 42 located in their lowermost downwardly forced positions. The tripedal sever 20 is shown in its lowered horizontal position with its third arm 34 centrally and inoperatively positioned between the plungers 26 and 28, the third arm 34 having been lowered linearly without actuatably contacting the first or second switch plungers 26 and 28 and without transferring the switches 16 or 18. Upon release of the plungers 12 and 14, the plungers and the tripedal lever 20 are returned by the spring 36 to their respective normal positions as shown in FIG. 1 without having transferably actuated either of the switches 16 or 18.

While a preferred embodiment of the switching device has been shown and described in considerable detail, it should be understood that other embodiments thereof and other arrangements of the elements thereof are possible and may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A dual switching device comprising a support member, a

first actuatingplun er mounted on said support member, a second actuating p unger mounted on sa|d support member spaced apart from said first actuating plunger, said plungers being capable of the same maximum ravel upon separate or collective actuation, a first transferable switch member mounted on said support member adjacent and associated with said first actuating plunger, a second transferable switch member mounted on said support member adjacent transferable switch member mounted on said support member adjacent and associated with said second actuating plunger, and control means operatively coupling said first and said second actuating plungers, said control means being separately responsive to the actuating movement of either said first or said second actuating plungers to effectively and separately transfer their said associated transferable switch first or said second actuating plungers to effectively and separately transfer their said associated transferable switch members and being also collectively responsive to the actuating movement of both of said actuating plungers throughout their entire travel to prevent the transfer of either of said transferable switch members.

2. The dual switching device as defined by claim I wherein said control means comprises an actuating member of tripedal configuration and resilient means effectively biasing said actuating member into contact with said first and said second actuating plungers.

The dual switching device defined in claim 2 wherein said resilient means comprises a spring connected to a central point along the linear dimension of said actuating member and to said support member at a point intermediate said first and said second actuating plungers.

4. The dual switching device as defined by claim 3 wherein said actuating member comprises a first and a second arm effectively contacting said first and said second actuating plungers and a third arm extending perpendicularly to said first and said second arms and in interposed relationship between said first and said second transferable switch members.

5. The dual switching device as defined by claim 4 wherein said actuating member is linearly translatable in response to the collective actuation of both of said actuating plungers.

6. The dual switching device as defined by claim 5 wherein said actuating member is rockably translatable in response to the separate actuation of either of said first or said second actuating plungers.

7. The dual switching device as defined by claim 6 wherein said third arm of said actuating member selectively actuates one of said transferable switch members upon said rockable translation of said actuating member by a respective one of said actuating plungers.

8. The dual switching device as defined by claim 7 and additionally comprising a first collet disposed approximate one end of said first actuating plunger and a second collet disposed approximate one end of said second actuating plunger, said first collet in cooperation with said resilient means effectively coupling said first arm of said actuating member with said first actuating plunger and said second colet in cooperation with said resilient means effectively coupling said second arm of said actuating member with said second actuating plunger.

Po-mso Patent No. q

Inventor(e) Hi i J i 1;;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION D ed at g /gg/zm It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

change "the switching 16" to -the switch l6--.

change "first collect 38" to --first collet 387-. change "the tripedal sever" to the tripedal lever--. I change "maximum ravel upon" to --u1a.ximurn travel upon--.

delete "on said support member adjacent transferable switch member mounted".

delete "first or said second actuating plungers to effectively and separately transfer their said associated I transferable switch".

insert before "The dual" the number indicating Claim 3 --3.-. change "second colet in" to --second coll'et in--.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of March 1972.-

Col. 2, line 51,

2, line 72,

C01. 3 line 9,

on. k, line 11,

lines 15 and 16,

lines 20 and 22,

line 33,

4, line 62,

(SEAL) Attestf EDWARD M.FLETCHER,

Attesting Officer ROBERT GOTTSCHALK. Commissioner of Patents 

1. A dual switching device comprising a support member, a first actuating plunger mounted on said support member, a second actuating plunger mounted on said support member spaced apart from said first actuating plunger, said plungers being capable of the same maximum travel upon separate or collective actuation, a first transferable switch member mounted on said support member adjacent and associated with said first actuating plunger, a second transferable switch member mounted on said support member adjacent and associated with said second actuating plunger, and control means operatively coupling said first and said second actuating plungers, said control means being separately responsive to the actuating movement of either said first or said second actuating plungers to effectively and separately transfer their said associated transferable switch members and being also collectively responsive to the actuating movement of both of said actuating plungers throughout their entire travel to prevent the transfer of either of said transferable switch members.
 2. The dual switching device as defined by claim 1 wherein said control means comprises an actuating member of tripedal configuration and resilient means effectively biasing said actuating member into contact with said first and said second actuating plungers. The dual switching device defined in claim 2 wherein said resilient means comprises a spring connected to a central point along the linear dimension of said actuating member and to said support member at a point intermediate said first and said second actuating plungers.
 4. The dual switching device as defined by claim 3 wherein said actuating member comprises a first and a second arm effectively contacting said first and said second actuating plungers and a third arm extending perpendicularly to said first and said second arms and in interposed relationship between said first and said second transferable switch members.
 5. The dual switching device as defined by claim 4 wherein said actuating member is linearly translatable in response to the collective actuation of both of said actuating plungers.
 6. The dual switching device as defined by claim 5 wherein said actuating member is rockably translatable in response to the separate actuation of either of said first or said second actuating plungers.
 7. The dual switching device as defined by claim 6 wherein said third arm of said actuating member selectively actuates one of said transferable switch members upon said rockable translation of said actuating member by a respective one of said actuating plungers.
 8. The dual switching device as defined by claim 7 and additionally comprising a first collet disposed approximate one end of said first actuating plunger and a second collet disposed approximate one end of said second actuating plunger, said first collet in cooperation with said resilient means effectively coupling said first arm of said actuating member with said first actuating plunger and said second collet in cooperation with said resilient means effectively coupling said second arm of said actuating member with said second actuating plunger. 